Ten pin



June 8, 1943. SCHAFER 2,321,524

TEN PIN 4 Filed Jan. 9, 1942 INVENTOR.

Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TEN PIN Frank Schafer, Green Bay, Wis.

Application January 9, 1942, Serial No. 426,203

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in ten-pins, and the object of the invention is to enhance the amusement afforded by the game of ten-pins and the vigor with which it is played.

It is not the intention of the invention to change the physical structure of the ten-pin itself but rather to associate with it, such as by slipping over the top of the ten-pin a removable covering member or cap of rubber or other flexible material, said cap or covering member having formed in the surface thereof a representation of a national of a country with which our country is presently at war.

It is thus believed by applicant that if these caps or covering members had formed therein representations of Japanese, for example, and which caps or covering members were slipped over the tops of the usual ten pins used in the game of ten-pins, or bowling, that the player or bowler would take more interest in the game, would bowl more vigorously, and, particularly during the present emergency, would take especial delight in knocking such equipped ten pins over.

It is a further object of the invention to construct such caps or covering members of inexpensive material; to make them of flexible material which would easily slip over the heads of ten-pins and remain there during the playing of the game of ten-pins and be easily removable for regulation play, when desired.

With these and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention comprises a cap or covering member for a ten pin, an embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ten pin showing one of my improved caps or covering members applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view through the upper portion of a ten pin with my improved cap or covering member applied thereto, and on the line 33, Figure 2.

In the drawing the numeral i represents a common or ordinary ten-pin such as used in the game of ten-pins or bowling, and 2 represents my improved flexible cap or covering member capable of ready application over the upper end of a ten-pin, and of sufficient resiliency to remain firmly in place thereon during and while being knocked around in the playing of a game, and yet be readily removable when desired.

I have illustrated two opposed faces of the cap or covering member as being representative of the head and neck portions of a Japanese soldier, and which, it is to be understood, is by way of example only, as any other national, or living creature may be used, such as might be similarly employed in a shooting gallery, or other form of like game. The representation of the person or other form of living creature may be either cast in the cap or covering member itself, or be painted thereon, as desired, and either would produce the same effect.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A removable cap or covering member, shaped to snugly fit and completely enclose the upper end of a bowling pin, characterized by said cap or covering member being of resilient material and having upon the outer surface thereof a representation of a living creature.

2. A bowling pin having in combination therewith a resilient removable outer capmembershaped to snugly fit and completely enclose the upper smaller terminal thereof, characterized by said covering member having thereupon a representation of a living creature.

FRANK SCHAFER. 

